Features of University

Nagasaki University contributes to the improvement of a well-balanced society by passing on its inheritance of the traditional culture rooted in Nagasaki, cultivating rich creativity in students, and developing innovative science for world peace.

On November 12, 1857, the Dutch army surgeon Pompe van Meerdervoort initiated medical lectures in the Dutch language to government doctor Ryojyun Matsumoto and 11 other persons. This medical school, called Igaku Denshusho, was the origin of today's School of Medicine, as well as Nagasaki University. The Faculties of Education, Pharmaceutical Science, and Economics celebrate 100 years of history.

After the tragedy in 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki City which impacted our students, teachers, and staff, the National School Establishment Law was created merging Higher School, Nagasaki Medical School, Teachers’ School, and others into a new Nagasaki University in May of 1949.

In 2006, the National University Corporation Nagasaki University was established under the Act of National University Corporations. The University currently has nine undergraduate faculties / schools and eight graduate schools for education and research, further expanding its scope to meet the demands of our time.

Features of Graduate School

The rapid globalization we now see in the 21st century is accompanied by a deterioration of the environment, locally and globally. This is further accelerated by population growth and economic development which threatens the sustainable development of human society. The integrated agenda of “Global Health” has emerged as a response to address these pressing issues.

Tropical Medicine and Global Health research aims to go beyond the existing academic boundaries, using a new comprehensive approach to solve world health problems and train new professionals in "Global Health" who can be called upon internationally for this purpose.

In response, a solution with new integrated approaches is urgently needed. Nagasaki University will foster a work force with the ability to solve the urgent issues in the global health area by establishing three courses in the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health.

Features of the Program

1) All lectures to be conducted in English
While learning the foundations of global health, we aim to foster a variety of experts capable of communicating in English.

2) Autumn and the quarter system
The School will have fall admissions (starting October) with the school year using the quarter system (consisting of 4 quarters with 10 weeks each and a spring and summer flex period).

3) Top level lectures
We work in full cooperation with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. At the same time, we invite prominent researchers, teachers, etc. from abroad, allowing us to provide the highest level of lectures and teaching curriculum to our students.

4) Integration of education, research, and practice
By utilizing field offices in Kenya and Vietnam, our school is able to offer research and field practice alongside education in classrooms. This combination of theory and practice improves the effect of education to promote and practice in the field of global health.

5) Implementation of long-term overseas practicum
During the first year of the International Health Development Course, in order to understand the model used for health improvement measures in developing countries, students will spend two to three weeks on a short-term field trip. In the second year, in order to acquire the practical skills and expertise needed for their field, students will conduct a mandatory, long-term overseas practicum in various developing areas such as Asia or Africa (5 months for practical training, 3 months for research).

6) Cross course seminars
We provide "Global Health Seminars" that will be attended by students of all 3 courses. This will allow students to participate in discussions, share their different opinions, and think about the global health field from a more comprehensive perspective.

7) Supplementary classes and tutoring
Students entering this school come from various backgrounds. Therefore, to ensure the standard of learning for all, supplementary and tutoring classes for English communication and writing, IT equipment use, and more will be offered as needed.

- International Health Development Course (MPH) -
What makes this program outstanding is its curriculum which features the practical abilities professionals require. The program aims to train professionals as ”Health Policy Maker”, “Health Programme Manager”, “Healthcare Policy Advisor”, “International Healthcare Consultant”, and “Management of International Healthcare related-NGOs.” The program’s primary purpose is to nurture new professionals with a good balance of fundamental academic knowledge and practical abilities useful in international health work. In order to do so, the program has created a course development process as follows: Introduction to Global Health Modules ⇒ Field Trip ⇒ Advanced Modules ⇒ Long-Term Practicum ⇒ Drawing up a Master’s Thesis.

The field trip and long-term practicum will be carried out in collaboration with Nagasaki University’s overseas education and research hubs in Kenya, Vietnam, etc., JICA, various NGOs, the United Nations, and international cooperation-related consulting firms.

”Health Policy Maker” and “Health Programme Manager” are required to have a wide range of insights and abilities such as advanced analytical facility in international healthcare, planning, operation, and assessment capabilities of countermeasure projects for systematic problem solving, a deep understanding and consideration for coexistence with different cultures, and coordinating and management capabilities as a member of an international project team. The program hopes to educate professionals in such knowledge, abilities, and social cooperativeness, and will confer on those who have successfully completed the whole course the Master of Public Health degree; a necessary requirement for working in the area of international healthcare.

Academic Schedule

Our academic year starts in October. It operates on the quarter system, in which academic year is divided into four-10weeks terms and special summer session.

Entrance Ceremony for 1st year students

- October

Autumn Quarter

- Early October to late December

Winter Break

- Late December to early January

Winter Quarter

- Early January to early March

Spring Flex Period

- Early March to late March

Spring Quarter

- Early April to mid-June

University Foundation Anniversary

- May 31

Summer Quarter

- Mid-June to late August

Summer Flex Period

- Late August – late September

Commencement Ceremony for 2nd year students

- Late September

*Exams will take place at the end of each term.
*The schedule above is tentative and subject to change.

Facilities

Nagasaki University provides single and family dormitory residences for international students and researchers. A total of 4 dormitories with 64 single rooms, 27 shared rooms are located near the main and Sakamoto Medical campus.
Reference
PDF (Nagasaki University International House)https://www.liaison.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/download/194/house.pdf

Message for Applicants

From University:

While aiding the improvement of the work quality of each individual, the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health intends to develop professionals who have learned how to work interdisciplinary and systematically, and who can make full use of their acquired know-how in the field. Although this program primarily focuses on tropical public health, experts from various fields (medicine, public health, policy making, management, sociology, behavioral science, and economics) will participate in teaching to make this program more interdisciplinary and appealing. It is essential that students should acquire an adequate command of English language before starting the program to benefit from studies at the School.